Fire extinguisher



Dec. 27, 1927.

D. ESTES FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Dec. 7. 1922 0 094 la... fr I rulli!!! if Zt/to 7421636 f u a www 0 0 ww wd J. a; 1 WE w Y wv Fw/V a I W f j pw Patented Dec. 27, 1927.`

UNiTeD kSTATES rerum oFFicE',

DANA ES'JLEIS,l OF BROKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS.

" Finn nxrmeuisnnn.

i Application filed December 7, 1922.l Serial No. `605,384.

This invention relates to improvements in fire extinguishers. More particularly it re- K lates to the soda or other alkali and acid type ofportable extinguishers and to the means for separating the soda and acid until thev proper time for mixing them, and for then mixing them at a proper `rate and under control` y In apparatus of this type it is desired to keep acid, preferably sulphuric, in a bottle in thetop of a canister nearly iilled'with ya vsolution of an alkali, preferably lai-carbonate of soda. Numerous mechanical arrangements and devices have been'proposed, all involving `the same fundamental principle for keeping the two apart until needed. The necessity that the ele-ments be unfailingly brought together when needed led to the general abandonment of acid containersthat require to be crushed, and to the use` either of thosehaving a loose cover,l which falls away by gravity, or one removableby exterior application of mechanical force.

To this end lead has been used for theclosure, but this is subject `to slow attack by the acid, making lead sulphate, which in some kcases causes the stopper to adhere to the bottle or to its connection so that theapparatus is inoperativev at the critical time of need. Glass cannot be used, because it is too brittle and because of the `tendency of. the liquid to creep over its surface in the `presence of any salts which may be formeduntil contact is established, and the power of the contents thereby gradually weakened.` Porcelain also has been used, and is most commonly in use today; but this also isan un# satisfactory material, because it has a surface which although better than glass nevertheless does not always prevent the creeping of liquids, especially where there are temperature changes that cause condensation, and moreover it has to be made thick for safety against mechanical breakagein partsthat preferably would be of small dimension in order to get accuracy of control of the acid flow; and it cannot be made with high precision of dimension because of distortion which it undergoes in its tiring. Nothing rreally suitable having heretofore been within t-he range of existing knowledge and skill, as those-skilled inthe art have long Well known, the present invention is a discovery of that thing.

Itconsists in makingY the stopper of the acid bottle ofsteatite. Steatite is a mineral product which has long been well knownin the art and industries, being for example the material from which the tips of domestic gas burners are made, from which tips ,the gas issues to the tlanie,known as lava7 tips, and being widely known also as an electrical insulator. The properties which are important in the uses to which it is put in those instances cited are of no especial consequence in the present case; but the material has also the property that sulphuric acid has no effect whatever upon it. 'It is unlike lead in this respect; and it is unlike porcelain in that the liquids do not creep over its surface. It has suihcient mechanical strength, even in small dimensions; and it can be worked like metal to precise dimensions with tools, while soft, and does not lose its precision when hardened.

As applied to the purposes of the present invention, steatite. an earthy material having theclieniical formula HMggSiiOm may be used, which is the general formula of talc. This may be worked like metahto the required dimensions, wit-hmetal cutting tools,

rwhilein the state in which it is found in naspecific gravity; and is so hard that a diamond is required to out it. In compressive strength it has double that of granite, and several times that of marble and brick. It therefore has ample strength for the purpose of the invention; but as a precautionary measure against brit-tleness until there shall have been a. greater experience in its use I propose to reinforce it with a core, which if not of non-corroding material, may be of slow corroding material having suflicienttenacity, such as lead, arrangedy so as not to touch any surface to which its corrosion might cause adhesion.

The core may be secured in the stopper by heading over the ends of the core, or by a screw threading it into the material of the stopper orotherwise.

whatever features or' patentahle novelty exist inthe invention disclosed.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation in medial section, ot one end of a tire extinguisher'ot the "type described,

inverted as tor useand containing a stopper embodying` the inrentiomshowing its setting and surroundings when in use. n Figure 2 shows a. similar stopperot solid steatite. L

Figure?) shows a stopper adapted for `an extinguisher oi the so-ca-lled sealed bottle type, in which the extinguisher would hold the stopper mechanically in contactwith the mouth oit the acid hottle in such a way as to rcndcrthc -said hottie practically acid tight, with provision tor the withdrawal `of thestopper .hy torce when wanted for use. Figure fl: isa modiiication, suitable for the .same use, with a dil'lerent core attachment and with reiirforcedhead flange;

Figure 5 is another niodlication suitable `for the saine use, wherein the core.` is not exposed to the acid; and

Figure G is another modilication, with smooth core.

ln the drawings ltlindicates the canister oit a soda. and acid lire extinguisher, being acopper shell, represented as when turned upsidedown 'tor use. `The screw' cover 11 is therefore at the bottom, and the can has tight closure except for the` discharge opening 12 where the liquid contents are forced out through a hose 13 under pressureot gas generated gradually within as acid from the inverted bottle 14 flows out through its neck into contact 'with the soda solution. The ate ot this llow governed by the size ot the annularspace between the inside ci. the noch oit the bottle and the outside 0:1"1 the protuliierance 15 ot the stopper 230. The hottlc, heine; supported on the metal shell 111/, its mouth is at a carefully predetermined lheight ahorethe cap 11 on which the stop-` per also is supported, As the protuberance is conical, the dimension ot the annular 'opening depends upon the relation of the stopper to it insize and position; `and on this dimension ot annular opening depends therate et low ot the acid into the an nular cup 1G in the stopper, to whichsoda solution enters {reel}7 and troni which the gas generated escapes producing the pressure that forces out the soda solution to discharge, 12. 13. The present invention does not reside in the said shape or operation ot the stopper, hut in the construction and material above described, steatite, with or without a core. rllhe modifications illus` trated in Figures 1-6` show sundry shapes in which the stoppcrs `ot the invention may `he made.` Wfhilc experience thus tar has indicated that a stopper oit solid steatite is adequate `lor its purpose, without a core, the drawing"illustrates eevcral arrangements in which a core may he combined with it in order to prevent fracture ot the stopper and to hold together pieces thereof in case a fracture occurs. i

` In Figure 1 the core 1T consists "ol a smooth rod olwniaterial, suitably acid rcsistant, such as lead for a lead alloy, set in a smooth hole drilled "through the steatite, and this is securely retained replace` by heading over its ends as at 1S. i It will he noticed that although the core is exposed to turnos ot' the acid, when the hottie `is upright and readj,r for action,f it nevertheless does not make contact at `any place `with the hottie; and therefore the products ot its corrosion cannot cause adhesionfof `the stopper tothe bottle. On the other hand, its head, which downward in Figure l,

HUI

is the part ot the stopper which mahescon-V `tact with the cap when the canister is inln Figure i). a similar torni olv stopper is.`

employed inwhieh there is no core of other material. Reliance is placed on the strength ot thesteatite alone. p .s u

Figure 3 shows a stopper with core 1T in Figure 1, but the stoifipefs hotly oit steatite 1l has a neck i9 andV a harige :2U at itshead. This neck lt) may he andar-.iced mechanically hy a suitable device (not shown), several types ot' which are well known, 'for pushing the stopper toward or witlnlrawingl the stop per 'troni thehottle neel: at will` hy pushing on itshody 30, or pulling ou lts flange El),

`instead oi letting the stopper t'all away hy gravity.

Figure d illustrates a similar stopper, and

shows how a stout metallic dish 21 which in this case is integral with` the core llluinay overly the head flange ol' the stcatitciaiul strengthen it Jfor resiiondiug` to am7 pull tending to open the hottie. The core 17 is screwed into the stopper and therefore is engaged atall parts ot' its length.

Figure 5 illustrates the provision ot "screw threads QQ on the head ot the stoppcigas a` means for engaging the stopper to withdraw it by externally applied force, 'from the bottle neck, and also illustrates at 23 howthe inner tace ot the stopper may he continuously ot the acid'resisting steatite without penetration by the core, yet havethe core present. In this case the core may be made ot any desired material, not being exposed to the acid tomes. This isaccomplished hy drilling and tapping the top of liu lill] the core as at 17a, but stopping short of complete penetration, along the aXis of the stopper. It will be understood that, unlike porcelain, internal threads in the stopper are practicable With great precision.

Figure 6 illustrates a stopper with a tip adapted to enter the bottle neck as in Figure 1, and to remain somewhat Within the neck, When Withdrawn to varying degrees by apparatus, not shown, screwed on the threads 22 at its head end. In this case the flow can be graduated to a nicety by the degree to vvhich the stopper is Withdrawn; and the core 17 protects the tip portion of the stopper.

The method of manufacture of the described stoppers is that Which is common in the manufacture of materials from steatite, commonly called lava7 in the trade; and the core may be inserted afterward, This involves the cutting of the stopper to its desired shape with tools such as are used in metal Work, cutting any threads that may be desired, by this means, and then treating and burning it in a manner already known, and afterwards inserting the core, if there is to be a core. The accuracy of dimensioning` of which the material steatite is capable, the strength and hardness of the same after burning, the freedom of the material from absorption, accumulation and creeping of liquid, and from attack by acid, make the Stoppers made of it superior to any others known in the art.

The invention thus described may be applied in other Ways, both as regards the bottle and as regards the stopper, Which together are necessary in order to make a complete separation of alkali from acid. v.In ei:- tinguishers of the sealed bottle type accuracy of fit of the stopper is very important. The gaskets customarily employed for attaining such a iit are liable to stick and to corrode. The steatite can be ground so as to make a tight fit Without a gasket. Thus a tight tit can be made` in a glass bottle.

The utility of the stopper core above described is not limited to steatite. The core may be provided in a stopper of other material, so that even with a material more brittle than is steatite, if a fracture occurs the core Will hold the stopper together so that the pieces into Which it may be broken Will not fall apart and lodge in such a Way as to interfere with the outflow of acid when the fire extinguisher is Wanted for use.

container, means separating the acid from the alkali While the lirst mentioned container is in acid holding position, comprising a body having a steatite surface.

2. In a lire extinguisher having acid in a container associated with alkali `in a larger container, means separating the acid vfrom the alkali, while the first mentioned container is in acid holding position, comprising a body of steatite having a core of tenacious material so shaped as to embrace parts of the steatite body.

3. In a iire extinguisher having acid in a container associated with alkali in a larger container, means separating the acid from the alkali, While the first mentioned container is in acid holding position, comprising a body of steatite having a core of a kind of metal which is slightly corrodible by the acid, said core being arranged so as not to touch the acid container.

Li. In a tire extinguisher having acid in a container associated with alkali in a larger container, means separating the acid from the alkali, While the first mentioned container is in acid holding position, comprising a body of steatite, there being a screw threaded holev formed steatite, and a metallic core screwed therein.

5. In a` tire extinguisher having acid in a container associated with alkali in a larger container, means separating the acid from the alkali, While the first mentioned container is inacid holding posit-ion, comprising a body of steatite; comprising a stopper having a neck, and a head larger than the neck whereby it may be Withdrawn and a metallic re-enforcement for the steatite comprising a disk overlying said. head, and a core attached to said disk and set Within the said body and engaging said body.

6. A fire extinguisher comprising the combination, with a container for alkali, of a bottle of acid and means to support it therein, and a stopper of steatite arranged to close the bottle when uprightand to fall anf'ay from it when the bottle and stopper are inverted, thereby permitting the acid to flow out into the alkali.

Signed at Boston, Mass., this fifth day of December, 1922.

DANA ESTES.

centrally in thev 

